Why is Bwindi Impenetrable? It is impenetrable due to the dense growth of herbs, vines, and shrubs that covers the valley grounds. More so, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest officially referred to as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known as an ancient, deep forest rising along the southwestern border of Uganda. The park sits on a mountain range where you can have a climbing adventure up along the mountain slope ranges and consists of a series of narrow, steep valleys, deep green and cloaked in mist. Bwindi is an old and complex ecosystem with a wealth of biodiversity and in its depths lies a rare and striking world.
The park lies in the dense undergrowth and rugged terrain, large portions which can be reached on foot, preserving its primordial nature. Its dense nature habitat is not only home to endangered mountain gorillas but also home to forest elephants, giant forest hogs, hundreds of butterfly species, and many types of primate species that roam beneath the thick canopy of trees.
Generally, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the remaining half-world to the population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. It boasts over 22 habituated gorilla families split into four gorilla regions –Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo Gorilla Sectors where small groups of people of about 8 persons are allowed to access a gorilla families and spend an hour in their company.
Gorillas are wild animals and the interaction takes place under the careful eyes of highly trained trekkers. Note, gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, and the health restrictions for visitors are firm. Due to the rugged terrain, only those older than 15 years are allowed to trek.
More than gorilla trekking tours, it starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters, and after meeting the park ranger to guide you on allocating you to an assigned gorilla family and an hour is provided to the visitors to spend with them and learn about their behaviors. The best time of the year to go for a gorilla safari in Uganda’s Bwindi with no challenge of heavy rain and poor roads starts from June to Mid –September and December to March. The activity can take 30 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas were last seen. When the gorillas emerge from the foliage, time stands still as trackers enjoy their company for an hour to watch these unique creatures.
Why Visit?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its ecological–natural beauty, the forest is home to roughly half of the world’s total gorilla population.
In Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari is available from four different gorilla sectors namely; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each of these areas has there specialized perfect accommodations close to the tracking trails in the park;
Buhoma lodges range from luxury to mid-range and Budget including; Buhoma lodge, Buhoma Haven lodge, Buhoma Community Rest camp, and Buhoma camp.
Lodges in the Rushaga region include; Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Ichumbi, and Nshongi camp among others.
Lodges in the Nkuringo sector /regions include; Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Lodge, and Virunga Campsite among others.
Ruhija lodges include; Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija lodge, Agandi lodge, Bakiga lodge, Broadbill forest camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo land tented lodge Eco marvels Gorilla Resort, and Gorilla Mist Lodge among others.
Accessibility; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can easily be accessed both by air and by car.
By Air Transport;
The best and easiest way to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is to travel by schedule or charter domestic flight – ‘’Bar Aviation or Aerolink Uganda’’ from Entebbe International Airport to fly you to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. By flight, it takes 1:30 hours to land there.
By Car Transport;
From Kampala or Entebbe to access Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by car takes an 8 to 9 hours drive.
